Combined package and drinking container



Jan. 16, 1968 H. c. SMITH 3,363,750

COMBINED PACKAGE AND DRINKING CONTAINER Filed June 16,1966

. INVENTOR.

HALL/E 6'. 57w 7H 30 25W QM j United States Patent 3,363,750 COMBINEDPACKAGE AND DRINKING CONTAINER Hallie C. Smith, 3653 Faust St., LongBeach, Calif. 90808 Filed June 16, 1966, Ser. No. 557,990 6 Claims. (Cl.206-47) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A two-piece device, which in a firstform thereof, provides a confined space in which a material can bestored, out of contact with the ambient atmosphere, awaiting retailthereof, and in a second form, a cup into which a liquid may be pouredto dissolve the material contained therein and the mixture thereafterconsumed.

Field of the invention The present invention relates generally to thefield of packaging, and more particularly to a device, which when in afirst form serves as a package to retain a watersoluble material out ofcontact with the ambient atmosphere, and when in a second form, providesa cup to which water or other liquid can be added to the materialcontained in the device to permit the contents thereof to be consumed.

There are many water-soluble materials on the present day market for thetemporary relief of pain, as well as concentrates which may be added tosuch beverages as tea, coffee, chocolate, and the like. These materialsare normally sold in bottles or individual packets. However,irrespective of the form of the container in which the material isretailed, it is necessary that a glass, cup or the like, be available inwhich it may be mixed with a liquid before being consumed.

A major object of the present invention is to provide a combined packageand drinking container for soluble materials that will eliminate thenecessity of arranging for the availability of a glass or some othercontainer in order to be able to consume the material.

Another object of the invention is to supply a combined package anddrinking container of simple structure that is compact and can befabricated from inexpensive, commercially available materials.

A still further object of the invention is to furnish a combined packageand drinking container that may be easily carried in a purse or pocket,and which is particularly adapted for use on trips or in out-of-the waylocations where glasses or containers may not always be available.

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of thedevice in a sealed condition;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the combination package prior to beingformed into a container;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the device then in a second formwherein it provides a drinking container;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the invention when in the second form;and

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the device when in a second form.

Description of the preferred embodiments With continuing reference tothe drawing, and FIG- URES 1 and 2 thereof in particular for the generalarrangement of the present invention, it will be seen to include agenerally rectangular backing member A that is formed from a relativelystiff paper, light cardboard, or the like.

A sheet B is provided that does not readily disintegrate when subjectedto water. Sheet B is substantially narrower in width than that of thebacking member A. Sheet B is preferably formed of a lightweight metalfoil, for this material is impervious to atmospheric conditions andmoisture whereby any effervescent materials contained in the packagewould be maintained in a dry, fresh condition when enveloped therein.

As may best be seen in FIGURE 2, a number of longitudinally spaced setsof transverse fold lines 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20, 22, 24 and 26 areformed in sheet B. The fold lines 10-26 are so disposed that a firstrectangular panel 28 is defined to the left of fold line 10, asillustrated in FIGURE 2, and a second rectangular panel 30 is locatedbetween the fold lines 16 and 18.

When the first panel 28 is overlaid on backing member A (FIGURE 2) itcooperates therewith to define marginal areas 32, 34, 36 and 38 on thebacking member. A left-hand transverse edge 40 and a right-handtransverse edge 42 is provided on sheet B.

First panel 28 is overlaid on backing member A, as shown in FIGURE 2,and adhered thereto by conventional means. That portion of the. sheet Bto the right of fold line 10 (FIGURE 2) is then laid over the panel 28,with the edges 40 and 42 being in alignment. Prior to that portion ofthe sheet B to the right of fold line 10 as may be seen in FIGURE 2, isso afiixed, the fold lines 1026 are utilized to place this portion ofthe sheet in the configuration shown in FIGURE 1.

Marginal areas 34, 36, and 38 are thereafter folded inwardly and adheredto the exterior surface of the sheet B which overlies the panel 28. Thematerial C to be contained in the invention (shown in phantom line inFIG- URE 3) may then be introduced through the open top thereof. Afterthe introduction of the material C into the package, the marginal area32 is sealed to the exterior surface of the sheet B in the same manneras the marginal areas 34, 36 and 38.

A transverse tear strip D is thereafter adhered to the exterior surfaceof sheet B adjacent the folded-over marginal area 32. The package isthen in condition to store the material C indefinitely in a hermeticallysealed condition, out of contact with the ambient atmosphere. Theexposed surfaces of the backing member A and sheet B will normally becolored and decorated, as well as carry a trademark thereon identifyingthe source of the material C.

Operation of the invention is extremely simple. When it is desired tomake use of the material C, the tear strip D is drawn transverselyacross the backing member A to form a slit (not shown) in sheet B,parallel to and adjacent t'he marginal area 32. A finger may then beinserted through the slit (not shown) to sufliciently expand the packagethat it will assume the second form shown in FIGURES 3-5 inclusive wherethe backing member A and sheet B cooperatively provide a cup. A liquidwhich will normally be water is then added through the upper open end ofthe cup to dissolve the material C, with the upper edge portion of thepanel 30 thereafter being brought into contact with the users lips so hecan drink the dissolved material. The stiff backing member A permitseasy handling of the second form of the invention.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objectsand providing the advantages herer inbefore mentioned, it is to beunderstood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferredembodiments thereof and I do not mean to be limited to the details ofconstruction herein shown and described, other than as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A device, which when in a first form, contains and seals a solublematerial out of contact with the ambient 3 atmosphere, and when in asecond form, provides a cup in which a liquid may be added to saidmaterial contained therein to dissolve the same, which device comprises:

(a) a single, stiff, generally rectangular backing member; and (b) arectangular sheet substantially shorter in length but substantiallywider than said backing member, in which sheet a plurality oftransversely spaced, longitudinally extending fold lines are formed thatsubdivide said sheet into a first rectangular panel shorter and widerthan said backing member, a sec ond panel narrower than said firstpanel, and a plurality of rectangular, longitudinally extending areas oneach side of said first panel, with said first panel being adhered tosaid backing member to cooperate therewith and define four marginalareas, and with the balance of said second sheet being folded over saidfirst panel to dispose said second panel in substantially the centerthereof, which rectangular areas provide pleats on each longitudinalSide of said sec- 0nd panel that overlie said first panel, with saidmarginal areas of said backing member being folded inwardly upon saidsecond sheet to cooperate therewith in defining a confined space inwhich said material is contained, said second sheet when all but thefirst panel thereof is slit transversely adjacent the upper folded-overmarginal area of said backing member being formable into a cup intowhich liquid may be added to dissolve said material, and due to thestiffness thereof said backing member imparts dimensional stabilitylongitudinally to said cup so formed.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second sheet is formedfrom a metal foil.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second sheet is insolublein said liquid that is to be added to said material.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said backing member issufliciently stiff as to act as a handle when said device is in saidsecond form and said backing member is gripped on opposite sidesthereof.

5. A device as defined in claim 1 which eludes:

(c) exteriorly disposed means for forming said sheet.

6. A device as defined in claim 5 wherein comprises a tear strip.

further insaid slit in said means References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS1,692,951 11/1928 Pinckney 229-55 2,967,609 1/1961 Gabbard 206473,129,815 4/1964 Baxter 20656 3,184,149 5/1965 Repko 229-66 3,223,31012/1965 Becker et al. 20665 WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR., Primary Examiner.

